Barnstable Post 206 has done the nearly impossible: become the Massachusetts American Legion State Champions for the second year in a row with their 8-6 victory against East Side Post 201 at Holy Cross July 13.

Post 206 Head Coach Sean Walsh couldn’t be prouder.

“It was really intense,” said Walsh. “I’ve never seen this group, who’ve basically played together since Little League, so passionate about winning games as they were at Holy Cross.”

Dubbing the experience “exhausting,” Walsh said that the clutch performances of his players were truly amazing, particularly that of Barnstable High School soon-to-be senior Derek Estes.

“Derek Estes has come up huge,” Walsh said. “He made a diving grab in the State Championship game and the whole team erupted. It was a great thing to see.”

Walsh said Estes’ catch followed terrific play by his whole team, with pitcher Chris Fowler earning the win in relief, while Everett Walsh (Walsh’s son) earned the save. Riley Ashe led the way on the mound before giving way to Fowler.

At bat with some crucial hits for Post 206 were Estes, Mark Brodd, Spencer McCaffrey and Dylan Morris. Walsh said that Estes was originally intended for a backup role, but stepped into more of a key player when Terrence Mudie was injured, ultimately batting .396.

“He had sort of this albatross [of being a weak hitter] around his neck,” said Walsh. “He had a rough year and he’s turned it around completely.”

Walsh also gave nods to Jack Harrington, George Bent, Dan Holzman and the team’s youngest player, Cody Pasic.

“He has the highest team on-base percentage,” Walsh said of Pasic, adding that Harrington “played a phenomenal defensive game” in the state championship.

McCaffrey, a Dennis-Yarmouth ballplayer bound for Franklin Pierce on a baseball scholarship, was also a bright spot.

“Once he stepped on the field with this group of kids they completely embraced him,” Walsh said. “He gives us depth in the outfield.”

Walsh said his team’s overall strengths both offensively and defensively are a true asset and proved instrumental in their overall season, which bears a record of 19-4, with 100 stolen bases, to put them in first place in Zone 10 for a second straight year

Because players are skilled at various positions, Walsh is able to rotate as needed, which is another huge plus.

“I can pitch Everett and not worry about the outfield being weakened at all,” he said.

It helps that his pitching is stellar. Bent’s record is 6-1 with a 1.45 ERA. He leads the team in strikeouts with 49 and only 11 walks. Holzman has a 6-0 record with a 0.00 ERA.

“He’s given up not one earned run this whole season,” Walsh said.

Also strong are Pete Liimatainen and Conor Walsh (Everett’s brother).

“Conor and Fowler were huge for us in the state championship game,” Walsh said.

Post 206 also has 10 batters hitting over .300. As a team they’re hitting .399, led by Litchman at .363 and Morris at .352.

“None of this could have happened without the commitment of these guys,” Walsh said. “Andy is the heart and soul of the team; Dave has been there almost every step of the way, and Jay has been an invaluable asset with our hitters.”

With the championship win, Post 206 becomes only the fourth team in American Legion history to win back-to-back titles. The last was Swampscott in 1994-95, and before that, Norwood.

“It’s been 18 years since anyone’s done it,” said Walsh.

Now his team has its sights set on going to the World Series, but before that comes the Northeast Regionals, which begins Aug. 8 in Middletown, CT.

Walsh said his team will continue to play as they have all season, batter by batter, out by out, inning by inning.

“When you have a great defense behind you, you want to make a batter swing and make him swing where you want him to put the ball,” he said. “If we score one run per inning, chances are high that we’re going to win. I’m not looking for home runs. I want guys trying to get on base.”

Given his team’s solidarity, Walsh has high hopes for their continued success.

“They really believe in each other,” he said. “They really act and behave like they’re best buddies, and you can’t buy that kind of team chemistry.”

They also want that victory.

“We want to get on that plane and go to the World Series,” Walsh said. “These kids want to go. They want to do it. We play to win.”